University bosses admit self-censorship and no-platforming a 'problem' on campus

The heads of Sydney's two leading universities have warned about growing "self-censorship" and attempts to shut down controversial speakers, but have maintained there is no freedom of speech crisis on Australian campuses.

They have also expressed reservations about implementing a "model code" on freedom of speech urged by the Morrison government and recommended by a recent review by former High Court chief justice Robert French.

The University of Sydney's Michael Spence is one of several vice-chancellors grappling with free speech issues.Credit:Louise Kennerley

University of Sydney vice-chancellor Michael Spence, whose institution was embroiled in a political controversy involving protests against author Bettina Arndt, acknowledged it was a "problem" that students were censoring their own views out of fear of repercussions.

But this was not a problem peculiar to universities - rather, it resulted from a breakdown in civil discourse at all levels of Australian public life and existed on both sides of the political spectrum, he said.

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"It can be hard for people to participate in the conversations because they think they're going to get shouted at – maybe shouted at by a radical feminist or maybe shouted at by Bettina Arndt," Professor Spence said.

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"This notion that the left has gone crazy and nobody can talk – I don't identify that. I think the left has gone crazy and the right has gone crazy.

"They're all trying to judge you in five minutes for you using three wrong words. In that context, sure, there is a certain amount of self-censorship of students, of members of the community. That's a problem.

"But that's not because people's right to speak freely is not being respected. That's because the culture – and I don't just mean university culture – the whole culture has a problem with the way we're talking to each other."

The recent review by Mr French, published just before the federal election campaign kicked off, found there was no free-speech crisis at universities.

But Mr French proposed a model code on free speech to embed into university policies and procedures, which vice-chancellors are currently considering.

University of NSW vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs said the review affirmed there was "no crisis", but warned that attempts to "de-platform" speakers - by denying them an opportunity to speak or shouting them down - must be opposed.

"If there is a trend to no-platforming, it's not acceptable. We need to take steps to prevent it, and we have. We have processes in our university to stop that happening," he said.

"Part of the role of a university is to be a platform for people to express new, controversial ideas, and for other people to come and argue against them. That is part of a dynamic, innovative, democratic society. I don't think we can let our guard down."

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Professor Jacobs had to apologise for the actions of his own university's security officers last week after they tore down posters protesting against UNSW's new trimester system and told students they needed permission to hand out flyers.

"It shouldn't have occurred, it must not occur again and we've taken steps to ensure it doesn't occur," Professor Jacobs said. "It's an example of how we all need to be alert all the time to protect what is precious, the concept of free speech."

The UNSW boss is considering Mr French's model code but said universities did not need special rules on free speech. "I'm not convinced that adding another layer or code or regulation will improve upon the current situation," he said.

Professor Spence said he was engaged with the content of the code but it was complex and "you can't just take it and plop it into your own system".

The libertarian Institute of Public Affairs, which has campaigned against what it calls a "free speech crisis" at Australian campuses, said it was a "weak cop-out" for Professor Spence to blame self-censorship.

The institute's policy director Gideon Rozner called on the Morrison government to enforce the recommendations of Mr French's review, including the voluntary "model code".

"The Australian government pays billions of dollars every year to create public squares of higher learning and intellectual inquiry," he said.

"Taxpayers deserve to know that these institutions are doing their job properly, and accommodating the widest possible range of ideas and viewpoints in the search for truth."